Viewers 'irritated' by Ben Clarke

Very cringeworthy indeed: Ben Clarke looking a little stressed out on The Apprentice

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Apprentice contestant Ben Clarke has irritated viewers after repeatedly boasting about winning a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst scholarship.

The reality TV star has been making frequent references to the 'scholarship' even though he has never actually enrolled on the gruelling course that trains army officers.

The 22-year-old, who has also irritated Sir Alan Sugar's right-hand woman Margaret Mountford with his Sandhurst Academy references, has until 2011 to take up his place at the prestigious school.

Ben was one of 90 people in 2003 to be offered a scholarship which helps youngsters with cash grants in the sixth form and through university.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “It is not a scholarship as most people would know a scholarship.

“The Army Sixth Form Scholarship that Ben Clarke refers to is designed to attract candidates of the highest ability into a career as an army officer.

“It does this by giving financial assistance, firstly to parents or guardians toward the cost of the last two years of the candidate’s school education and, secondly, in the form of an undergraduate bursary.”

But the trainee stockbroker will have to pay back the money if he fails to enrol at the exclusive academy, which takes around 800 trainees a year, by 2011.

The spokesman added: “It is not for me to say if we are or aren’t looking forward to welcoming him to Sandhurst if he takes his place.”

During the show, in which contestants battle for the prize of a lucrative job working for Sir Alan Sugar, aired on Wednesday, April 29, Ben said: “I am a good leader – Sandhurst spotted that and that’s why they gave me a scholarship.”

He has also said: “For me, making money is better than sex, it’s that pump of adrenaline, I absolutely thrive on it.”